Kieffer, Elizabeth Clarke (1899-1991)

Collection

Identifier: Ms. Coll. 156

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Elizabeth Clarke Kieffer collection consists of one box containing awards, certificates, etc. (1967-1968); biographical information; correspondence (1968-1986); financial records (1959-1956); photographs; writings (1954); and research materials on John Durang.

Dates

Creation: 1932 - 1986

Biographical / Historical

Elizabeth Clarke Kieffer was born in Frederick, MD, 1899 and died in Williamsport, MD, 1991. She was the daughter of James Clarke Kieffer (news editor of the Baltimore Sun) and Mary Louisa Dubbs (daughter of Joseph Henry Dubbs, 1838-1910) who was professor of history at Franklin and Marshall College. Miss Kieffer graduated from Goucher College in Maryland, had library training at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Blatimore and worked there for several years. In 1928, she came to Lancaster as a reference librarian at Franklin and Marshall College. In 1956, she became librarian of the Lancaster County Historical Society. From 1959-1966, she was archivist of the Historical Society of the Evangelical and Reformed Church in Lancaster. She was a member of the First Reformed Church in Lancaster and wrote "Annals of First Reformed Church." In 1968, a testimonial dinner was held in her honor at Lancaster Theological Seminary. At the 75th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania German Society in 1965, she received the organization's citation of merit. From 1964 until just before her death, she devoted much of her time to correspondence with genealogists, dealing frequently with questions involving translations from the German, in which she was an expert. She contributed to numerous genealogical publications, both in Maryland and nationally. She was the author of published biographies, one of which was on the late Dr. Henry Harbaugh, professor of history at Franklin and Marshall College. She was an active member of the American Bible Society and taught adult classes in various church schools. She was the last of her immediate family.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Related Materials

Other published materials within the ERHS include: -"Genealogical resources of the Historical Society of the Evangelical and Reformed Church: Fackenthal Library, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania." (1959) ERHS BX 7471 .H58 K5 1959 -"How to study the history of a community: with special reference to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania." (1962) ERHS F 157 .L2 C55 v.1:6 -Schaffner family genealogy, in "Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society" V. 42; Lancaster, Pa. (1938) pages 181-200. ERHS F 157.L2 L5 v.42 "First Reformed Church Records" Lancaster, Pennsylvania (533) pages ERHS MKZZ LA R9 "Lancaster County historical society. Papers, v. 45, no.3 ERHS F 157 .L2 L5 V.45 "Henry Harbaugh, Pennsylvania Dutchman," 1817-1867, 365 pages ERHS BX 9593 .H37 K542 1945 "Pennsylvania German Society" bibliography, pages 274-276 ERHS F 146 .P23 V. 51 Annals of First Reformen Church (United Church of Christ), Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1961, 84 pages. Church RG 52 item 1 Kieffer, Elizabeth Clarke, Kieffer, Joseph Spangler, Diaries, 1858-1918; copied and annotated, 1958 by Elizabeth Clarke Kieffer. Ms. coll. 95 box 1 A translation of a copy of the complete historical account of the beginning...of the work of the Lord... in Manacusey in Maryland by George Merle De Fere Zacharias, 1896. Ms Coll.137 Box 1 History of Saint Stephen's congregation, Franklin and Marshall college, Lancaster. Church RG 57 Item 2. A transcription of Baptismal records of Apple's Evangelical and Reformed Church (Luthern and Reformed) near Thurmont Maryland was indexed by Elizabeth Kieffer. Church RG 148 Item 2 ff1 Micro film #110.